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Job outlook for corporation counsels in the United States
Are corporation counsel jobs in demand?
Corporation counsel job and salary trends over time
Corporation counsel jobs over time
Corporation counsel job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,710 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,653 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,650 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,614 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,578 | 0.00% |
Average corporation counsel salary over time
Corporation counsel salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $97,070 | $46.67 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $94,034 | $45.21 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $92,466 | $44.45 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $91,197 | $43.84 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $90,363 | $43.44 | +2.0% |
Corporation counsel jobs by state
Most common states for corporation counsels
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 97 | 14% |
| 2 | New York | 19,849,399 | 300 | 2% |
| 3 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 162 | 2% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 152 | 2% |
| 5 | California | 39,536,653 | 545 | 1% |
| 6 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 232 | 1% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 128 | 1% |
| 8 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 117 | 1% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 98 | 1% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 80 | 1% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 77 | 1% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 55 | 1% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 46 | 1% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 42 | 1% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 35 | 1% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 35 | 1% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 14 | 1% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 13 | 1% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 12 | 1% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 7 | 1% |
Most common cities for corporation counsels
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee | 1 | 0% | $70,661 |
Corporation Counsel job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of corporation counsel experts
University of North Dakota
Prairie View A&M University
What general advice would you give to a Corporation Counsel?
Kimberly Dasse: The concept of a legal career encompasses a wide array of roles, extending beyond the traditional associate-partner trajectory. I therefore recommend that law students plan early. While still in school, seek out internships or externships that afford opportunities to explore diverse roles, such as placements at non-profits, district attorney’s offices, public defender’s offices, and law firms. This type of exposure will help students to determine what roles align best with their personal circumstances, identity, and aspirations. Once a course is set, pursue that path with determination. As practitioners, they should strive to excel by applying their academic knowledge and life experiences to their work. Pose thoughtful questions that reflect genuine engagement and consideration for the work. Cultivate mentoring relationships with seasoned professionals who can offer guidance in navigating legal practice and office dynamics. The above steps are particularly important for first-generation professionals. As new entrants to the profession, one may not have a built-in or pre-existing network, so building connections early in law school can yield significant benefits later when transitioning into the profession.
What general advice would you give to a Corporation Counsel?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.: Find a mentor and be involved with your local legal associations. Porter Gale said, “your network is your net worth.” And, I couldn’t agree more! As a new paralegal, legal operations specialist, or attorney, growing your network helps in all aspects of your career. You will gain new skills, increase your business development ability, engage in meaningful volunteering opportunities, and truly find an area of law you want to specialize in.
What will help Corporation Counsels increase their earning potential?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.: Do your research and clearly communicate your ask with supporting evidence. A simple internet search will provide you actual salary ranges. An applicant then needs to take this information and explain why X is the amount based on individual specifics. Also, never negotiated against yourself—meaning sometimes you need to be silent and wait.
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.
Adjunct InstructorPrairie View A&M University
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Corporation Counsels?
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.: The simple answer if there will be a lasting impact from a pandemic would have a range of responses. By evaluating the reactions and responses to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States, a range of these were been reported. There were the deniers who resisted accepting the reality or severity of this pandemic even to a level of believing it was a hoax. This was compounded by similar ranges of responses by the elected leaders of United States.
At the time of this writing, the pandemic was continuing. It was in addition mutating in different regions of the world. Though vaccines were being developed and administered, the full effectiveness of these have not yet been fully evaluated.
Also, the leadership of the United States has recently changed to a more proactive approach in addressing the pandemic and its repercussions on the United States. A new administration has begun to address the occupational and economic impact, including the major disruptions of personal, community, and occupational lives and activities. These included widespread economic issues, including food and income issues.
Numerous studies will be needed to analyze and evaluate many areas of successes, weakness or failures in addressing a pandemic. It will need a pandemic effort to analyze, evaluate and develop and proposals for constructive preparation and proactive changes to address multiple economic and social needs.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Corporation Counsels?
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.: Due to an almost global impact the majority if not all certifications/licenses/courses will need to be reviewed and reevaluated to better address the wide ranges of impacts and deficiencies discovered. From these analyses, any deficiencies discovered in services and deliveries of training will need to be addressed and changes made in trainings for helping professionals public servants knowledge and abilities. These need to better address a pandemic level situation and the victims of a pandemic.
Therefore, all certifications/licenses/courses requirements for all levels of a population. These need to be reviewed, re-evaluated and if needed, modified or changed including being more adequate including diverse and possibly cross educations, trainings and experiences to qualify for different certifications/licenses/course completions.
In the areas of human science, the areas needing to be addressed include stress management issues, victimization, various personality disorders, post traumatic stress. disorders to grief responses. Some of the professional preparations needing to be reviewed with possible modifications might include specific trainings and experiences.
Especially focus on self care and support, especially for those who are the professionals who encounters the suffering public. Trainings on how to interact effectively with pandemic victims, both primary and secondary victims.